COMMENTARY: Wasted Energy

Debunking the Waste-to-Energy Scheme
By Neil Seldman

Like any other vampire, "waste to energy" technology, e.g., burning garbage for electricity, needs a good, swift stake to the heart.

Read the full commentary at emagazine.com

Job Opening

ILSR seeks a full-time talented professional to coordinate its Sustainable Plastics Initiative and the Sustainable Biomaterials Collaborative. Click here for more information.

Stop Trashing the Climate

Released to coincide with the UN's World Environment Day on June 5th, this report documents the link between climate change and unsustainable patterns of consumption and wasting. The study dispels myths about the climate benefits of landfill gas recovery and waste incineration, outlines policies needed to effect change, and offers a roadmap to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions within a short period. Co-authored by ILSR, the Global Anti-Incinerator Alliance (GAIA) and Eco-Cycle, Stop Trashing the Climate concludes that reducing waste disposed in landfills and incinerators can have climate benefits equivalent to removing 21% of U.S. coal-fired power plants.

Press Release - Exec. Summ. - Full Report

More at www.stoptrashingtheclimate.org

New SustainablePlastics.Org web page launched

ILSR's new Sustainable Plastics web site describes problems with conventional fossil-fuel-based plastics and provides information on a new generation of biobased plastics that could take their place. We'd like your feedback. Please email sustainableplastics@ilsr.org.

Waste to Wealth - 2007 Annual Report

For 33 years ILSR's "Waste to Wealth" program has helped to convert wastes from environmental and economic liabilities into valuable resources that contribute to community development. In 2007, our work has focused on the following:

1. encouraging sustainable biomaterials to replace fossil-fuel-based plastics
2. developing green industrial parks
3. salvaging building materials through deconstruction
4. deterring waste incineration projects and promoting in their stead zero waste planning and recycling-based economic development
5. establishing a composting program in our home city of Washington, DC.

• Download the Waste to Wealth - 2007 Annual Report

New Sustainable Biomaterials Collaborative Formed

The Sustainable Biomaterials Collaborative (SBC) is a network of organizations working together to spur the introduction and use of biomaterials that are sustainable from cradle to cradle. The Collaborative seeks to advance the development and diffusion of sustainable biomaterials by creating sustainability guidelines, engaging markets, and promoting policy initiatives.

The SBC principles, key documents, resources and a list of the current 14 organizations that comprise the Collaborative, are available at www.sustainablebiomaterials.org.

On-Going Technical Assistance Programs

ILSR coordinates two technical assistance programs available to community development groups, environmental organizations, local government agencies and small businesses involved in (1) developing alternatives to garbage incinerators planned for their communities, or (2) developing building deconstruction enterprises and community economic development.

For details contact Neil Seldman: nseldman@ilsr.org; (202) 898-1610 ext 210.

New Deconstruction Network Formed

Three deconstruction organizations have joined ILSR in establishing a network to share information, contacts and start up/expansion expertise. They are Second Chance, Baltimore; Dynasty Deconstruction, Cleveland; and The Reuse People, San Francisco.

For details see ILSR's updated Deconstruction Project web page.

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